Inflatable pool divider

Abstract

The inflatable pool divider is configured for use with a swimming pool. The inflatable pool divider is placed in the swimming pool such that each inflatable pool divider bifurcates the swimming pool into two regions called a swimming lane. The inflatable pool divider is a floating structure. The inflatable pool divider is an inflatable structure. The inflatable pool divider comprises a master bladder, a plurality of valves, a plurality of end caps, a plurality of tensioning devices, a plurality of carabiners, and a sleeve. The plurality of valves and the plurality of end caps attach to the master bladder. The plurality of tension devices and the plurality of carabiners anchor the plurality of end caps to the swimming pool.

The inventor claims: 
     
       1. An inflatable pool divider comprising
 a master bladder, a plurality of valves, a plurality of end caps, a plurality of tensioning devices, a plurality of carabiners, and a sleeve; 
 wherein the plurality of valves and the plurality of end caps attach to the master bladder; 
 wherein the inflatable pool divider is configured for use with a swimming pool; 
 wherein the inflatable pool divider is placed in the swimming pool such that each inflatable pool divider bifurcates the swimming pool into two regions called swimming lanes; 
 wherein each of the plurality of valves forms a fluidic connection with a pump; 
 wherein the pump is a mechanical device that generates a pressure differential that transports atmospheric gas under pressure into the master bladder; 
 wherein each of the plurality of valves forms the fluidic connection between the pump and the master bladder that allows the pump to pressurize the master bladder; 
 wherein each of the plurality of valves further reduces the volume of the master bladder by releasing the pressurized gas contained within the master bladder; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps is a hollow structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps has the shape of a tapered prism structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 1 
 wherein the inflatable pool divider is a floating structure; 
 wherein the inflatable pool divider is an inflatable structure; 
 wherein the plurality of tensioning devices and the plurality of carabiners anchor the plurality of end caps to the swimming pool; 
 wherein the master bladder inserts into the sleeve; 
 wherein master bladder is a prism-shaped structure; 
 wherein the master bladder is a hollow structure; 
 wherein the master bladder is formed as a hose; 
 wherein the master bladder is a fluid impermeable structure; 
 wherein the master bladder is a flexible structure; 
 wherein the master bladder is an inflatable structure; 
 wherein the master bladder is a floating structure. 
 
     
     
       3. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 2 
 wherein the master bladder forms the structure that bifurcates the swimming pool into swimming lanes; 
 wherein the volume of the master bladder is adjustable; 
 wherein the volume of the master bladder is adjusted by changing the pressure of the atmospheric gas contained within the master bladder; 
 wherein the master bladder is adjusted such that the master bladder floats on the surface of the swimming pool. 
 
     
     
       4. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 3 
 wherein each of the plurality of valves is a valve; 
 wherein each of the plurality of valves mounts in the master bladder; 
 wherein each of the plurality of valves forms a fluid impermeable seal with the master bladder. 
 
     
     
       5. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 4 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps is a fluid impermeable structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps is a flexible structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps is an inflatable structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps is a floating structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps forms an impermeable gas closure that encloses the hose structure of the master bladder; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps forms a mechanical structure that attaches a tensioning device selected from the plurality of tensioning devices to the master bladder. 
 
     
     
       6. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 5 
 wherein each of the plurality of tensioning devices is a mechanical structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of tensioning devices attaches to the exterior surface of an end cap selected from the plurality of end caps. 
 
     
     
       7. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 6 
 wherein each of the plurality of tensioning devices is an adjustable structure; 
 wherein by adjustable structure is meant that the span of the length of each of the plurality of tensioning devices is adjustable; 
 wherein the span of the length of each of the plurality of tensioning devices is adjusted to fix the position of the master bladder in the swimming pool. 
 
     
     
       8. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 7 
 wherein each of the plurality of tensioning devices is a locking device such that the span of the length of each of the plurality of tensioning devices is fixed in position; 
 wherein each of the plurality of tensioning devices attaches a carabiner selected from the plurality of carabiners to the selected end cap associated with the selected tensioning device. 
 
     
     
       9. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 8 
 wherein each of the plurality of carabiners is a fastening structure known as a carabiner; 
 wherein each of the plurality of carabiners anchors a tensioning device selected from the plurality of tensioning devices to an anchor point that is provisioned by the swimming pool. 
 
     
     
       10. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 9 
 wherein each sleeve is a prism-shaped structure; 
 wherein the sleeve is a hollow structure; 
 wherein the sleeve is formed as a hose; 
 wherein the span of the length of the inner diameter of the hose structure of the sleeve is greater than the span of the length of the outer diameter of the hose structure of the master bladder such that the master bladder inserts through the sleeve; 
 wherein the sleeve is configured to display an image; 
 wherein the image displayed by the sleeve comprises indicia that are configured to convey a sentiment. 
 
     
     
       11. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 10 
 wherein the master bladder comprises a first master bladder end, a second master bladder end, and a master bladder lateral face; 
 wherein the first master bladder end is an open end of the hose structure of the master bladder; 
 wherein the second master bladder end is a second open end of the hose structure of the master bladder; 
 wherein the second master bladder end is the open end of the hose structure of the master bladder that is distal from the first master bladder end; 
 wherein the master bladder lateral face is a fluid impermeable structure that forms the lateral face of the prism structure that forms the hose structure of the master bladder. 
 
     
     
       12. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 11 
 wherein the plurality of valves comprises a first valve and a second valve; 
 wherein the first valve is the valve selected from the plurality of valves that attaches to the master bladder lateral face of the master bladder at a position proximal to the first master bladder end; 
 wherein the first valve forms a fluid impermeable seal with the master bladder lateral face of the master bladder; 
 wherein the second valve is the valve selected from the plurality of valves that attaches to the master bladder lateral face of the master bladder at a position proximal to the second master bladder end; 
 wherein the second valve forms a fluid impermeable seal with the master bladder lateral face of the master bladder. 
 
     
     
       13. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of end caps has a wedge shape. 
     
     
       14. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 13 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps attaches to an end of the master bladder selected from the group consisting of the first master bladder end and the second master bladder end; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps attaches to the selected end of the master bladder to form a composite prism structure; 
 wherein each of the plurality of end caps attaches to the selected end of the master bladder such that each of the plurality of end caps forms a gas impermeable seal with the master bladder lateral face of the master bladder. 
 
     
     
       15. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 14 
 wherein the plurality of end caps comprises a first end cap and a second end cap; 
 wherein the first end cap is the end cap selected from the plurality of end caps that encloses the first master bladder end of the master bladder; 
 wherein the second end cap is the end cap selected from the plurality of end caps that encloses the second master bladder end of the master bladder. 
 
     
     
       16. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 15 
 wherein the plurality of tensioning devices comprises a first tensioning device and a second tensioning device; 
 wherein the first tensioning device is the tensioning device selected from the plurality of tensioning devices that attaches to the first end cap; 
 wherein the second tensioning device is the tensioning device selected from the plurality of tensioning devices that attaches to the second end cap. 
 
     
     
       17. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 16 
 wherein the plurality of carabiners comprises a first carabiner and a second carabiner; 
 wherein the first carabiner is a carabiner selected from the plurality of carabiners that attaches the first tensioning device to an anchor point provisioned with the swimming pool; 
 wherein the second carabiner is a carabiner selected from the plurality of carabiners that attaches the second tensioning device to an anchor point provisioned with the swimming pool. 
 
     
     
       18. The inflatable pool divider according to  claim 17 
 wherein the sleeve comprises a first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, and a sleeve lateral face; 
 wherein the first sleeve end is an open end of the hose structure of the sleeve; 
 wherein the second sleeve end is a second open end of the hose structure of the sleeve; 
 wherein the second sleeve end is the open end of the hose structure of the sleeve that is distal from the first sleeve end; 
 wherein the sleeve lateral face is a fluid impermeable structure that forms the lateral face of the prism structure that forms the hose structure of the sleeve.